Could Bonds be leaving Giants?

July 26, 2006|CHRIS HAFT San Jose Mercury News

Barry Bonds wants to play baseball next season. But whether he does, and for whom he plays, are open questions. Friday, Bonds told MLB.com that he had "no doubt" about returning for a 22nd season. He repeated that sentiment to a handful of reporters the next day: "I just said I wanted to play." Of course, this is the same man who said in February that he planned to retire after this season. Bonds has a long history of changing his mind, and the current vacillations could be rooted in his uneven performance this season. Bonds has played in 79 of the Giants' 99 games, far exceeding the hopes of his employers, and occasionally he has flashed the form that won him seven most valuable player awards. On the other hand, Bonds turned 42 on Monday, and there are times when he looks every bit his age. Anticipating fastballs instead of reacting to them, he's prone to taking awkward swings that were rarely seen in previous seasons. In left field, where his lack of mobility is obvious, he has to extend himself to make plays that once were routine for him. And yet Giants Manager Felipe Alou said he believes Bonds can play next year. In fact, Alou doesn't stop there. "He can be better next year," Alou said recently. "The legs are really very important for hitting. Last year and early this year, Barry was not using his legs the way he wants to or knows how to because of his knee problem. But he could be healthier next year." Bonds will be a free agent after the 2006 season. So where will he be in 2007? The Giants remain the most likely option, if only because they've stuck with him for 14 seasons. Owner Peter Magowan has steadfastly said Bonds' future is an off-season matter, but the temptation to keep him will grow as Bonds, with 722 home runs, comes closer to Hank Aaron's all-time mark of 755.